| Team Dome BMW - Simon & Nick: 1st Jan 2005 |
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Spanish enthusiasm fuels Dakar riders
Typical Spanish weather and warm enthusiasm greeted the 2005 Telefonica
Dakar competitors
as they departed the Cataluna capital for a marathon ride of 920km along
Spain's south-east
coastal roads to Granada. With only three checkpoints – the Barcelona start, Castellon and
Granada finish – the lengthy stage 2 liaison became a test of endurance
as well as a fight against
boredom.
While the factory teams had the luxury (and resources) of fitting their
machines with road-going
rubber, many of the privateer riders had little option but to grind out
the miles on off-road tyres.
Another problem suffered by the individual competitors was the lack of spares need to change
unsuitable off-road gearing.
Cheered on by thousands of spectators, who thronged almost every small village and town, most
of the riders were inspired enough to complete the trip without too many
problems. Stiff legs,
aching shoulders and sore butts will need to dissipate before the rally
gets really serious. And
that starts with stage 3.
All the British competitors made it safely to Granada, including Team DOME
BMW F650 GS
Dakar riders Simon Pavey (No. 102) and Nick Plumb (103). The two BMW Motorrad off-road
instructors arrived tired and hungry but relieved and optimistic. With
no incidents en route, Nick
Plumb summed up what most riders must have felt: ''Thank heavens for iPods!"
he said. "And
BMW clothing. When we arrived at Granada there was snow on the sides of the road and it had
been pretty damn cold on the bit through the mountains."
Team-mate Simon Pavey, who acquired a pre-rally problem with his wrist, reported that everything
was fine and that he couldn't wait to get to Africa. "From now on
we don't have to do all the
promo things," he explained. "So when we arrive at a bivouac
we are essentially finished for the
day. That means we can eat and sleep sooner!"
As far as the day's liaison was concerned, Simon said that he was amazed
at the fantastic support
from the Brits he encountered at almost every stop. obit was pretty emotional
leaving our families
behind in Barcelona, but after that there seemed to be British support
everywhere along the
route – even here in Granada. Don't these people have homes to go to?"
With no special stage on day 2, the standings remain unchanged from yesterday.
Nick and Simon
are in 135th and 136th positions, although this means little until the African special stages and
liaisons.
Day 3 will see the rally cross by ferry to Tangier and complete a 557km ride to Rabat. This will
take the competitors along Morocco's Atlantic coastline and include a 10km special stage. The
two DOME BMW riders have done the stage before and claim that it is fairly easy. Mere
mortals might think otherwise.
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